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Question of the week

Q My employer provides a company car and I'm due to choose a new one soon. My current Vauxhall Vectra CDTi V6 is deadly dull and I'd prefer something more stylish but also compact and practical enough for hiking trips. Given that I'm a higher-rate taxpayer, I'd like to minimise tax costs too.

SH, London

A The sting in the tail for company-car drivers is that in return for the perk, you pay an annual tax. The amount is determined by a combination of your tax bracket (in your case 40%), the car's list price and a percentage based on its CO2 emissions (see the Database section at vcacarfueldata.org.uk).

The good news is that several cars that are fun to own won't clobber your wallet too hard. The Mini Cooper D Clubman is one. The estate version comfortably seats four, has a big boot for hiking gear and, despite